Disabled Students Allownace + Access to Learning

mikescott86

Hey everyone!

I have a few questions about these that I hope some of you can answer

I applied for ALF last academic year and didn't get anything, but did get £1500 from the summer fund because my depression made it impossible for me to get work - I applied to loads of placed but they all wrote back and said 'no'. Even ASDA!

I handed in another application last week, and had somebody check through my form. The lady who I was speaking to said that since I was in my second year, I'd probably not get any again!! Is that right?

As for DSA:

* How long does the whole process tend to take from submitting your application, to your assessment, to getting the things they recommended?

* I've heard a lot of conflicting stories about laptops: some people say they supply you the laptop directly, others say they give you money to get one for yourself. I've heard of people getting between £2000 and £5000 for equipment and it being paid directly to them. Which is the case? I do computing and 90% of the staff and students in my department use Apple Macs, so I was hoping they would supply me with one of them. My 5 year-old PC died a few weeks ago, so I could really do with a laptop. I have anxiety which means I get phonic ticks (I make a squeaking sound in my throat) which makes it embarrassing to go into the computer labs - that is, if I even have the mental energy to get myself out of the house. Everybody looks at me as if to say, "seriously, !!!!!!???".

One of my friends who is dyslexic had a laptop supplied directly to her. It was cheap, flimsy, and very heavy. It's not the sort of thing I would want in my backpack when I cycle to uni everyday. Is there any way I can get them to pay me directly? I'd like to buy a high quality, well-specified machine. Also, if there are any pennies left over then I can be cheeky and use them to get food
Cheers :beer:

MrsManda

DSA.
When I applied for DSA through my university I got an appointment to be assessed within a fortnight. We sat and discussed what help may be useful for me and the assessor made a recommendation.
I received the equipment about a month later.
There's a maximum of £5,030 for specialist equipment over the entire length of the course. If there is a recommendation for a laptop then you can discuss what you feel would be best for you in your assessment then they'll order it for you if the assessor agrees.

There's £20,000 available to pay for a non-medical helper per year and a general allowance which I think covers extra travel costs etc...

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/DisabledPeople/EducationAndTraining/HigherEducation/DG_070188

Carrie86_2

It took a long time from application to assessment and then actually getting the stuff but this was because my LEA was slow to process it. If your Uni disability service is good they can chase your application up and nudge your LEA on.

I got my equipment delivered to me directly and for book allowance etc I have to send in receipts to claim it back.

What you get depends on what your assessor recommends so you need to discuss it with them. I think you can also ask to upgrade your equipment and put some of your own money in to get better stuff.

Saying that the equipment I got was very good. ETA: you do have the option of a mac if that fits your course better.

Remember some people have to really fight for their DSA so yeah, hoping to get paid directly and use any 'left over pennies' is a bit cheeky. Talk to your assessor about the equipment you need.

mikescott86

After reading case studies around the Internet, DSA seems easy to get if you have the evidence to support your claim. I'm surprised some people struggle to get it

I definitely need a MacBook. I work in a highly collaborative environment, so it really would help to have a MacBook to be compatible with most of the people there. They also run Windows, so that takes compatibility to 100%.

This is an example of where they paid directly to a student: http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showpost.html?p=5273621&postcount=5

£5000! The poster said her daughter only spent £1500 of it.

Did either of you find that you had to fight hard to get your DSA? I'm only applying now as I've only just been made aware that my depression counts as a disability. It does seem trivial compared to some of the things that others put up with.

Thank you both for your replies

Mike

[Deleted User]

From Diagnosis of dyslexia to acctually getting support and equipment it took an entire academic year! I did however get a new computer, printer, scanner and lots of software as well as a dictophone. I also get my internet paid for me, money for photocopying and money for consumables such as usb flash drive, ink cartridges, paper, pens ect. I also get extra tutor support, extra exam time and extra time on essays (within reason) when I need it.

roxalana

With timing of DSA - it varies!

Basically you will be assessed sooner if:
*You print off and send in the DSA1 with your normal finance application (rather than ticking the box and asking for details to be sent - as this cuts out admin).
*You have evidence of your disability from an independent source (i.e. your doctor/psychiatrist) that details the nature of your problem and gives an indication of how this will impact on your studies - this is quite complex so it might be the LEA will need to ask for further info.
*you apply early. This is because you need to be seen by an Access centre and from about August onwards it takes longer and longer to get an appointment as it is the busiest time. You must be refered to the Access centre by the LEA so your normal application and DSA application and evidence must be in order to be refered.

With regards to what kind of help you will get - this depends on what is recommended (which will vary depending on your needs and things specific to your course).

At your access appointment you will discuss e.g. the need for Mac not PC etc

Laptops are not usually recommended. This isn't the LEA trying to get out of spending extra - laptops can cause RSI etc as they arent' really designed as a main computer, plus they break easier and there can be compatability problems. Some people will be recommended laptops - but this will depend on a number of circumstances. Sometimes if a desktop is recommended the money for the desktop can be put towards a laptop with the student paying the difference, but this is definitely not guaranteed (or necessarily advisable as you may also then be liable for maintenace).
Also you don't usually choose what is recommended in terms of which specific pc- they will recommend a couple from a couple of suppliers who have a good reputation for quality and aftersales support and it would be ordered for you.

In terms of amounts of DSA given, this depends on what is needed. Some level courses do have an absolute limit, but qualifying for DSA does not mean you qualify for certain amount automatically - it depends on what is stated by the access center so be honest when you see them.

Some LEAs do pay some money directly to students for some things that are recommended (but this is not a high amount - usually where admin costs for processing receipts are greater than the total value and not LEAs do this at all).

Sorry for the long post - but in a nutshell apply early, send evidence and the rest will be looked at once you see the access assessor.

Gemmzie

You will find it difficult getting DSA for purely mental health difficulties unless you have some sort of psychotherapy report or diagnosis to back it up.

I've not heard of any students being given a laptop for depression - you need to be able to explicitly explain how a laptop would make your studies easier for you so you are at the same level as other students. That is the basis for DSA.

I also found your comment about 'extra pennies' quite offensive. Very few LEAs pay out in money, 90% are equipment to stop exactly that and some students suffer because of the harsh rules due to people using the funds for things they weren't intended.

mikescott86

If you found that comment offensive, how offensive is it to you that the girl in the thread I linked to got £5000 but only spent £1500 of it on DSA stuff. It's not like I said I'd use the money to go out and get pi**ed. If you read my original post, you'd know I'm applying for ALF too because I have _no_ money. I can't get a job to support myself, so I don't think spending any small amount of money that might be left over on _food_ would be a bad thing.

I do have a diagnosis and I've been living with depression for 10 years or so. I have anxiety which causes me to have phonic tics. For me that means I make squeaking noises in my throat, or sniffle loudly, or both. It can be quite embarrassing to work in the computer labs in the library where it's quiet and I'm making all these random noises.

Here's an example of somebody in a similar situation to me: http://www.hull.ac.uk/disability/mentalhealth/supporting/dsa.html He got a PC, not a laptop. But I'm sure if I can justify why I need a laptop, then I can get one. In my department we have a quiet common room where I can take a laptop to work in between lectures. Because there's usually nobody in there, my tics wouldn't be a problem.

MrsManda

I may be wrong but, reading the post about the girl who got £5000 and only spent £1500 I don't think her mother meant she got £5000 into her bank account to spend as she wished. It's more likely that the assessment came back saying she was entitled to £5000 worth of equipment but was only given £1500 worth of stuff because she didn't need the rest

cannyscot_2

Wow I never knew such a thing exsisted. I am busy thinking of ways to earn extra money so we can put things in place for my DS who is partially sighted. It never occurred to me you got extra money-what a dunce!

Glad you posted now -I hope you get sorted.

dmg24

mikescott86 wrote: »

If you found that comment offensive, how offensive is it to you that the girl in the thread I linked to got £5000 but only spent £1500 of it on DSA stuff. It's not like I said I'd use the money to go out and get pi**ed. If you read my original post, you'd know I'm applying for ALF too because I have _no_ money. I can't get a job to support myself, so I don't think spending any small amount of money that might be left over on _food_ would be a bad thing.

I do have a diagnosis and I've been living with depression for 10 years or so. I have anxiety which causes me to have phonic tics. For me that means I make squeaking noises in my throat, or sniffle loudly, or both. It can be quite embarrassing to work in the computer labs in the library where it's quiet and I'm making all these random noises.

Here's an example of somebody in a similar situation to me: http://www.hull.ac.uk/disability/mentalhealth/supporting/dsa.html He got a PC, not a laptop. But I'm sure if I can justify why I need a laptop, then I can get one. In my department we have a quiet common room where I can take a laptop to work in between lectures. Because there's usually nobody in there, my tics wouldn't be a problem.

So you can use a laptop in a 'quiet common room', but you cannot use a PC in a quiet computer lab? I doubt very much that you will get one if that is the reasoning that you will give.

Many students struggle financially. That is no reason to use money given for another purpose to live off. That money could be better used elsewhere, for someone who will use it for the purpose designated.